Omiya Chapter

Omiya Chapter Events in 2001

Sunday, January 14th, 2001

Two presentations: (1) Card Games to Get Students to Talk, and (2) Make Your Own Web-Based CALL Program

Speaker: (1) Aleda Krause, author of SuperKids and SuperTots. (2) Larry Cisar and Dann Gossman, Kanto Gakuen.Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., January 14th, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): freePrefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Jack (near Omiya JR Station, west exit)Description: (1) Games are great language practice. Aleda will introduce two easy-to-learn card games that encourage maximum use of English and are adaptable for many different levels and content areas.(2) Integrating Web-based CALL into your program may be easier than you think. See how such a program is set up in a private university, get a hands-on feel for the materials and software, and discuss the program's implementation, design, goals, coordination, and impact.

Sunday, February 18th, 2001

Against All Odds: The Challenges of being a High School English Teacher in Japan

Speaker: Charles Browne, Aoyama Gakuin UniversityTime: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., February 18th, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): 1,000 yenPrefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Jack 6F (near Omiya JR Station, west exit)Description: Although there has been much debate about Japanese high school English education, most arguments have been based on anecdotal evidence. To begin developing baseline quantitative data about Japanese high school English teachers, a 26-question survey was sent to all 1,234 high school English teachers in Chiba prefecture. Results indicate that there are clear differences in teachers' attitudes depending on college major and team-teaching experience.

Sunday, March 18th, 2001

Introducing Public Elementary School English and the Monbusho Handbook

Speaker: Tom Merner, Japan College of Foreign LanguagesTime: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., March 18th, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): 1,000 yenPrefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Shimin Kaikan 3F (near Omiya City Hall, east exit of Omiya Station)Description: English instruction is about to become an option for the new "Period for Integrated Studies" in the Japanese public schools. Monbusho has published a "Handbook for Elementary School English Teaching Activities," to provide support to teachers. Merner, a member of the authoring committee, will introduce the handbook, share views about the direction public elementary school English seems to be heading, and introduce results of a survey about the current situation in schools which have already implemented English.

Sunday, April 22nd, 2001

Star Taxi

Speaker: Theo Steckler and Marc SheffnerTime: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., April 22nd, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): freePrefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Jack 6F (near Omiya JR Station, west exitDescription: Star Taxi is a story told in 20 scenes. The teacher becomes a director and students become actors who rehearse, then perform the simple yet authentic dialogues. No props, stage, or acting experience necessary. The focus is on vocabulary, pronunciation, intonation, and body language. Participants will learn how to block a scene, plan a lesson, and evaluate students' performances. Star Taxi has been used successfully in high schools, colleges, and companies.

Sunday, June 17th, 2001

Extensive Reading with Graded Readers: Reading Beyond the Classroom

Speaker: Jeffrey Herman, Oxford University PressTime: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., June 17th, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): free (sponsored by OUP)Prefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Jack 6F (near Omiya JR Station, west exit)Description: What is extensive reading with graded readers? Why is it important? Is it easy to incorporate in my classes? This workshop will demonstrate in detail the reasons for and the practical implementation of extensive reading with graded readers. Teachers of all ages and levels will find this supplementary approach wonderful for fluency, confidence, and motivation, as well as remarkably time efficient.

Sunday, July 8th, 2001

A Task Based Approach to Using Video in Content Courses

Speaker: Evelyn J. Naoumi, Meiji UniversityTime: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., July 8th, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): 1,000 yenPrefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Jack (near Omiya JR Station, west exit)Description: In content courses English becomes a tool rather than an aim. Students need to process a lot of information in English, but their limited language skills hamper them. Videos help because students can see the context as well as listen. But for language production, a task-based approach is particularly effective. This presentation describes the task approach and then invites participants to take part in a task from a content course entitled "Modern Britain."

Sunday, September 16th, 2001

New Topic To Be Announced (due to original speaker cancellation)

Speaker: To Be AnnouncedTime: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., September 16th, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): TBAPrefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Chuo Kominkan (a 5-minute walk from JR Omiya station, the west exit)Description: Due to a last-minute cancellation, Omiya chapter is currently seeking a substitute speaker for this event. If you are interested in being a substitute speaker (for 3 hours) or being part of a panel of speakers (for up to an hour each), on any language teaching topic, please contact Dave Magnusson, Omiya Chapter President, at tel (048) 646-0428 or e-mail davidm@gol.com. First-time presenters are welcome to apply.

Sunday, October 21st, 2001

Cultures Alive! Multicultural Education for Children

Speaker: Michele MilnerTime: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., October 21st, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): 1,000 yenPrefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Jack (near Omiya JR Station, west exit)Description: Michele Milner will show how folk stories and folkdances can be used to teach multicultural concepts. Engaging folk stories allow children to view the world through the eyes of a new culture. Hands-on activities include cooperative methods of re-telling and dramatizing the stories. Folkdances, the dance of the common people, provide a kinesthetic learning experience about culture and communicate emotions through rhythm and movement. Creative movement activities then allow the students to reinterpret and internalize language concepts.

My Share Live Part 3

Speaker: VariousTime: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., December 9th, 2001)Fee (JALT members): freeFee (One-Day members): TBAPrefecture: SaitamaCity: OmiyaVenue: Omiya Jack (near Omiya JR Station, west exit) tel: 048-647-0011Description: Don't miss this popular annual event! Learn new ideas you can use in your classroom tomorrow. Stick around and help decide what directions JALT Omiya should be heading in next year. Then help us celbrate another successful year with a rip-roaring Bonenkai.